When most people picture millionaire enclaves, they think Beverly Hills or Manhattan, not a quiet Northern Michigan beach town.

But as The ’Gander’s Sophie Boudreau has found, one Michigan city was once believed to have more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in America.

Today, she’s taking us on a historical trip to Manistee—the Lake Michigan town that became Michigan’s own “Millionaire Row” during the 19th-century lumber boom.

Join The ’Gander on May 21 for a FREE livestreamed town hall on protecting kids online, moderated by chief political correspondent Kyle Kaminski.

The discussion will examine how platform design, corporate decisions, and policy gaps are shaping kids’ online experiences—and what parents, advocates, and policymakers are pushing for next.

Featured speakers include state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, Dr. Jenny Radesky of Michigan Medicine, and advocate Charay Gadd.

Join the conversation and learn what meaningful change could look like.

That one time when Manistee, Mich., was the picture of prosperity. (ehrlif/Shutterstock)

By Sophie Boudreau

When most of us think about millionaire-packed neighborhoods, we imagine rows of luxurious mansions in Beverly Hills or towering penthouse apartments in Manhattan. Of course, Michigan also has its fair share of wealthy areas, but did you know that one Great Lakes State community was previously considered a hotspot for the ultra-rich?

With a population of just over 6,000 residents, Manistee isn’t Michigan’s largest city. 

It’s more of a charming weekend getaway than a major tourist destination, and its top attractions are centered around the simple pleasures of Northern Michigan life: a peaceful riverwalk, a timeless lighthouse along Lake Michigan, and a handful of beautiful beaches. 

There’s a lot to love about the city, but it certainly can’t be described as “flashy.” Turn the clock back to the 19th century, though, and you’d find a slightly different vibe in Manistee.

This vintage postcard depicts Manistee’s logging district along the waterfront. (Don Harrison/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Michigan has a rich history of logging and manufacturing, and Manistee was a cornerstone of the industry during its heyday. In the late 1800s, when the so-called “lumber boom” was in full swing throughout Michigan, Manistee made a name for itself as a hotspot for shingle production. Mills thrived up and down the banks of the Manistee River, producing wood shingles for rooftops to be exported throughout the United States. 

It wasn’t just lumber bringing industrial success to Manistee. Salt was another popular export, with multiple factories emerging in and around town. If you’re familiar with Morton Salt, you might be surprised to learn that the company still operates a facility in Manistee.

For founders and factory owners in this era, manufacturing success meant one thing: profit. 

Lumber barons—industrial leaders of the lumber industry—made names for themselves across the state of Michigan as the end of the 19th century approached, and Manistee was home to its fair share of these wealthy men. 

In fact, according to the City of Manistee, 19th-century developers promoted the claim that Manistee had more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in the US during the lumber boom. While there’s no verified data to support this claim, its spirit is based in truth: notable businessmen like Edward Buckley, James Dempsey, and T.J. Ramsdell called Manistee home and constructed gorgeous estates throughout the city.

Railroads and interurban systems (pictured here) were another sign of prosperity in Manistee’s heyday, facilitating transport of lumber and materials to and from the city. (Wystan/Wikimedia Commons via CC Attribution 2.0 license)

For Ramsdell, wealth wasn’t tied to lumber—instead, his entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of local businesses and projects, including a hardware store, bank, and even an early bridge in downtown Manistee. 

Charles Ruggles, sometimes called the “Millionaire Miser of Manistee,” was also prominent among the wealthy folks of Northern Michigan at the turn of the 20th century. Ruggles dipped his toe into everything from the salt industry to local philanthropy, raking in massive earnings from his various endeavors—including, of course, lumber.

Manistee remains decidedly rich in natural beauty. (jimflix!/Flickr via CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

While the lumber boom eventually wound down as pine forests were depleted and industrial economies throughout Michigan faced significant challenges, the remnants of Manistee’s most opulent era are still visible today. Modern-day tourists can stroll alongside estates like the Buckley Home, the Vincent Home, and the Babcock House, which offer the chance to step back in time and experience the grand Victorian lifestyles of Manistee’s early millionaires.

Manistee’s Vincent Home, built by lumber broker William Vincent in 1885, remains in the Vincent family today. (Wingerham52/CC BY-SA 4.0)

While the home of James Dempsey no longer operates as a museum (visitors might recall its time as the Victorian House Museum), members of the public can enjoy tours and special events at the manor throughout the year. 

Manistee might no longer be synonymous with millionaires, but its rich history and seemingly boundless natural attractions make it a must-visit destination in the Great Lakes State. 

That One Time in Michigan is a special edition of our weekly newsletter. Know a story we should explore, or want to send me a note about the newsletter? Write to me here!

Want deeper coverage of Michigan politics? Our free Thursday newsletter, This Week in Michigan Politics, breaks down what’s happening in Lansing and Washington—clearly and without the jargon.

With the midterms approaching, we’ll keep you informed on what could affect your day-to-day life.

Interested?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with a feature story by Sophie Boudreau. It was edited by Paula Solis.

The ’Gander is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.